10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Indianapolis, IN

While the cost of assisted living can cause some initial sticker shock even in a lower-cost area like Indianapolis, paying for assisted living can be in reach for many Indianapolis families.

Here are ways to use both your own resources (private pay) and government (public) programs set up for seniors and veterans in Indianapolis. You can also find an in-depth discussion of payment options with our complete guide to paying for long-term care.

In Indiana, assisted living facilities can be either licensed or unlicensed. Both can be called assisted living facilities, and both provide help with dressing, bathing, mobility and other activities of daily living. But only licensed facilities can provide health services, such as medication administration. Residents in unlicensed assisted living facilities may, however, contract for home care services on their own.

For Indianapolis consumers, it’s hard to tell if a facility is unlicensed. Unlicensed facilities look the same as licensed, and both are called assisted living to consumers. According to a list of licensed and unlicensed facilities provided by the state of Indiana, Indianapolis has six unlicensed assisted living facilities and 20 licensed facilities.

To see if a community is licensed, you can check Indiana’s list of licensed facilities.

Licensed facilities are regulated by the Indiana Department of Health. Before a facility may become licensed, the Department of Health performs an initial inspection, and then re-inspects every 9 to 15 months. These inspections focus on regulatory compliance, investigating complaints, and ensuring residents’ safety and well-being. Inspection reports are available to the public for licensed facilities.

The Indiana Department of Health has a scoring system for licensed assisted living facilities that it inspects. A spreadsheet listing every facility and its score as of March 2020 is provided in each inspection report. The scores have not been updated since March 2020 because of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic but are expected to be updated in the future.

Staff at licensed assisted living facilities are required to be certified and licensed. Indiana consumers can look up the licensing records of staff at assisted living facilities.

Learn more:

• Indiana’s licensure requirements for assisted living facilities
• Report a complaint against a facility
• See consumer reports for Indiana’s assisted living facilities

Indianapolis Department of Health
Division of Long Term Care
2 North Meridian St., 4B
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Division Director Brenda Buroker
bburoker@isdh.in.gov

Because of the risk coronavirus poses to the elderly, Indianapolis’ assisted living facilities are required to adhere to guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As mandated by federal guidelines, visitors are still allowed.

Guidelines for Indianapolis assisted living facilities include:

Read the full Indiana COVID-19 guidelines for adult care facilities.

Seniors are Indianapolis’ fastest-growing population, and with Central Indiana’s expanding elderly population, Indianapolis is making strides to expand access to health care and affordable housing. One benefit of senior living in Indianapolis is that the average cost is significantly lower than the national average cost of assisted living.

That said, Indianapolis options for assisted living are somewhat limited in the city center. More options become available as you expand your search further into the surrounding suburbs.

Assisted living in Indianapolis suburbs

Although Indianapolis has a number of affordable assisted living options, some of the suburban areas like Carmel, Indiana and Fishers, Indiana are home to additional high-value options.

These communities offer some of the amenities common to upscale assisted living but with the more affordable pricing that’s common to the Indy area. They provide all the ranges of care typical of assisted living but include a wider range of amenities and services, such as on-site barber shops, movie theaters, fitness classes, and chef-prepared meals.

Assisted living in central Indianapolis includes options such as:

Traditional assisted living facilities

Assisted living communities make up the bulk of senior living options in Indianapolis. These residences can be found all across the Indianapolis metro, most in standalone buildings with specialized additions and supports for elderly residents. Other facilities feature sprawling complexes with private, apartment-like units and outdoor grounds. They offer daily food service, help with activities of daily living, personalized care, 24-hour staff on site, and regular enrichment and outings, along with other amenities. These communities range in price according to care level and room size, and some include secure memory care units for seniors with cognitive decline. Most are licensed as long-term care facilities, but some are unlicensed housing with services establishments, as allowed by Indiana law.

Religious-affiliated assisted living communities

About 76% of Hoosiers identify as Christian, so it’s no surprise that there are a number of assisted living communities in Indianapolis that are affiliated with Christian denominations. These facilities offer the same amenities and services as traditional assisted living, but most also have on-site chapels where services take place. There are also several assisted living facilities in Indianapolis that observe Jewish holidays and traditions and provide kosher food options.

Subsidized assisted living

For seniors who are working within a limited budget, Indianapolis has a number of residential care facilities. These facilities take payment in the form of Medicaid waivers, making them ideal for lower-income seniors. They provide personal care services, assistance with activities of daily living, 24-hour protective oversight, medication administration, and more. They offer all the services of traditional assisted living but are only suitable for seniors who do not require skilled nursing levels of care.

Health care for seniors in Indianapolis

Indianapolis is home to several highly rated and skilled health care systems, including:

Transportation for seniors in Indianapolis

Most Indianapolis residents use cars to perform their daily tasks. There are walkable areas in the heart of downtown and Fountain Square, but the majority of Indianapolis requires a vehicle to get around.

Indianapolis does have a public bus system called IndyGo, which has more than 30 fixed routes that can get you pretty much anywhere in the downtown area. There is also a senior transportation system called Way2Go, which provides shuttle services and door-to-door pickups and drop-offs for eligible seniors.